While porn is a wonderful thing to enjoy, porn addiction is a very real thing. That’s why The Pornfolio explains what porn addiction is and what you can (and should) do if you have it.
Before you keep reading on, it is important to know that this article has not been written by an expert. This is written by someone who cares about others’ health and wants them to do better. Therefore, what you’ll read below is not a cure, but positive advice at best.
How does porn addiction exist?
Like most addictions, it mostly comes down to a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is also known as the “feel-good hormone”. It sends messages to our brain’s reward system that we like something. It happens after eating a nice dinner, working out and being in love. But this also applies to stuff that can lead to addiction. Drugs and alcohol are the most common ones, but porn falls into that category as well. In fact, watching porn releases so much dopamine that your brain can’t get enough of it. That’s why you keep coming back to it, because you taught your brain that this is what feels good.
However, after a while, your brain builds up a tolerance for the amount of dopamine you receive. This is where (in this case porn) addiction actually starts. To get the same amount of dopamine, your brain demands more of that product, in this example that product being porn. When you’re addicted, a lack of dopamine can also more easily trigger negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Eventually, you’ve rewired your brain into thinking that you must consume the thing that causes the rush of dopamine, without you actually enjoying it anymore. That’s how someone keeps coming back to – in this case – porn. Your brain also associates the thing you consume with other things, like the place where you consume porn, or how you consume porn. That’s why simple things like being alone in a bedroom or opening your laptop can already trigger the brain into thinking that it’s time for porn.
How do you know if you have a porn addiction?
There are a couple of common signs that you’ve developed an addiction for porn. The ones that occur the most are not being able to control yourself and not being able to stay away from it. Others are cancelling appointments to use porn, like work, or hanging with family, friends and/or your relationship. Some physical effects that show you have a porn addiction are withdrawal symptoms or the need for more porn to get the same dopamine effect.
Where and how can you seek help?
If you have a porn addiction, then know that you’re not alone. There are, and will always be, people ready to aid you. There will also be a small group of people that will turn down your request for help and that sucks. However, that does not mean you should go back to your own habits.
Places where you can find help are at your local doctor, or at a therapist or psychologist. There are also plenty of online places you can visit for help. One of those is pornaddiction.com, which is there for help and support. They can provide you the tools to work on your recovery, how long that may be.
What can you do yourself?
There are a great number of things you can do yourself to increase your chances of beating porn addiction. Here are a number of things you can do to take matters into your hands.
- Delete all the porn you have on your computer
- Delete the accounts you have on porn and porn related sites
- Replace the time you spend on porn with something else, like reading, walking outside, learning a new skill or starting a new hobby
- Follow the 12 step program
- Spend time in public places
- Only go to bed when you want to sleep
- Avoid other substances that release great amounts of dopamine, like alcohol, drugs and weed
- Groom yourself
- Start cleaning
- Mark the days of your streak that you’re not consuming porn
- Help others with the same problem
- Start sharing your story. Acknowledge that you are addicted to porn
What to do when it causes depression or suicidal thoughts
If you are suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts, reach out for help. You can do this with the following phone numbers:
USA: 1-800-273-8255
For Spanish speakers: 1-888-628-9454
For deaf or hard of hearing: 711, then 1-800-273-8255
Canada: 1-833-456-4566
UK: 0800 689 5652
India: 1800-599-0019
